I
have been selling ship models for 40
years. I have appreciated them all that
time but never in my dreams did I
imagine I would ever own one of the best
examples â an Admiralty model from the 18th
century. Often they can fetch six-figure sums!
However one recently came my way that was
reasonably priced and I now own something
I never thought I would. I am pretty useless at
anything handy so I marvel at such high quality
craftsmanship on such a small scale. Itâs a great
art that is massively under appreciated.
These models were made to comply with
the Navy Boardâs order (issued in 1716) that all
drafts for new vessels must be accompanied by a
scale model. So when a shipbuilder was pitching
to build a ship for the Navy they would make
an exact replica to show the decoration and give
a 3D impression of the ship. The detail on them
can be breathtaking. My model is a fairly typical
two-and-a-half feet long but the detail... each
window is handcarved and each pane is a slice
of transparent mica! They used quality materials
- predominantly box and fruitwood but the
details are gilt brass and exquisitely painted and
decorated panels. They were made to impress â
if the buyer was going to pay the equivalent (in
todayâs money) of many millions of pounds for
the full ship the shipbuilder wouldnât skimp on
the prototype.
The art of ship model building flourished
in the 19th century by which time every
shipyard would have had its own model-making
workshop â though there may be records in local
museums of who the model makers were. They
are typically anonymous but it was a highly
skilled role. It was very much a father-to-son
sort of tradition because the skills needed were
very exacting.
New collectors should veer away from
anything kit-built â you are looking for scratch-
built handmade models. And be aware of
modern models of 19th and early 20th-century
vessels from the Far East. They can be fantastic
quality and you see them for under £1000
but the resale value is immediately diminished
while a good period version would be £5000
and will hold its value. Remember that if a
model looks too good to be true it most likely is
too good to be true.
There are specialist auction houses you can
visit â Charles Miller for instance holds two
dedicated fine marine antiques sales each year. If
you look through his catalogues or go along to
his sales then youâll get a feel for what you like â
racing yachts steam ships or sailing ships? Oneâs
own personal attraction is crucial because well
every time I go into the room that my Admiralty
model sits in I cannot help but stop and look
at it and the more I look at it the more I see
and the more I see the more I appreciate it.
Itâs a piece that gives me joy â isnât that what
collectingâs all about? Q
FIVE FACTS ABOUT JON
1
Jon became MD of Bonhams auction
house in 2010 but when he started
in the business back in 1973 he joined
Sothebyâs Belgravia with the lowly job
title of âsilver cleaner and tea boyâ.
2
With Antiques Roadshow colleague
Hilary Kay Jon instigated the rst-
ever entertainment sale in the Eighties.
Paul McCartneyâs piano was the star lot.
3
Jon has been a miscellaneous expert
on the Roadshow for 24 years.
4
Jonâs favourite piece on the
Roadshow was JFKâs ying jacket â
the US president had so the story goes
left it behind after a ing with a model.
Jon valued it at £200000â£300000.
5
A keen scuba diver Jon initially
began diving to value items on
shipwrecks. On one such dive the
salvagers found a unique silver-plated
astrolabe which is now housed in the
Marinersâ Museum Virginia.
* Learn more
Visit The
Historic
Dockyard
Chatham or
the Scottish
Maritime
Museum
Dumbarton.
Read The
Model Ship
by Norman
Napier Boyd or
Jonâs Nautical
Antiques &
Collectables.
INTERVIEW M E L S H E R W O O D
PORTRAIT GRANT SCOTT
SHIP MODELS
JON BADDELEY
The
Knowledge
154 H&A SUMMER 2017